And as the master scout called out the Greenvale teen's name it started a waterfall of tears at Talia's family house as the passionate Doggies tribe erupted in, at first, shock, then relief, and finally jubilation.

Talia's selection was enough to spark emotion from Bulldogs royalty, with grandfather and 1954 premiership hero Harvey Stevens unable to contain his excitement.

"Unfortunately Pa couldn't come down last night because it wasn't safe for him and Nan to drive here and back from Yarra Glen. But Pa rang up in tears. He was over the moon and just so happy I was (going to the Dogs). It was really, really special," Talia told Leader.

Dalrymple revealed to Talia after the draft he rated the 192cm and 87kg beast just a 5 per cent chance of sneaking through to his second-round choice with nearly every club showing interest in the All-Australian star.

"I was getting a bit nervous after about pick 25, I was very shaky," Talia said.

"But it was a dream come true to get called out by the Dogs. It was exactly where I wanted to go, I'm stoked. They were rapt to have me there and I'm just over the moon."

Talia had been linked to West Coast at No. 23 and Brisbane at 30, and after sliding into the second round he looked bound for Hawthorn, Geelong or St Kilda.

"When it got to 25-30 I was getting really nervous because they're all interstate clubs. When it got to 30 dad said hopefully you end up at a Melbourne club.

"But when the Saints passed at 35 the nerves really kicked in. I didn't even realise Bulldogs had pick 39 and when I found out I had my girlfriend next to me and I was squeezing her hand as hard as I could because it was my dream to go there.

A crowd of 60 packed Talia's house, including Jacob Thompson, the nephew of Essendon assistant-coach Mark.

Thompson's Bendigo Bombers teammate Tory Dickson was also snared by the Dogs, with the left-footer ensuring Talia he would have at least one friend when he starts at Whitten Oval on Monday.

An hour later and the recruit had many more.

"I got texts from most the leadership group and Brendan McCartney rang me last night," Talia said.

"Shaun Higgins, Daniel Giansiracusa, Matthew Boyd and Mitch Wallis and a couple of others texted. Matty Boyd much said welcome to the club, let the hard work begin. Shaun Higgins said welcome to the club you'll love it here and I can't wait to get to know you and meet you."

"They've been really welcoming so far and I haven't even met them."Talia looms as the perfect replacement for veteran defenders Brian Lake and Dale Morris.

Cannons coach Marty Allison was adamant Talia was the best tall defender in the year's draft pool, while region manager Ian Kyte declared him capable of tackling AFL gorillas come the back end of next season.

"Someone's going to be looking for a tall to play on (No.1 pick) Jonathon Patton in three years when he is a monster, and Michael Talia can do that," Allison said.

"He's a very good mark, he reads the play very well, he sits behind the footy and he has the ability to attack at the right times."

Twelve months ago Talia was overlooked by Greater Western Sydney as a 17-year-old able to join the new franchise a year early and be spared draft-day anxieties.

The Giants settled on 11 of their allotted 12 teens, and then passed on Talia, with recruiter Neville Stibbard not sold on his field kicking.

As a result, every Cannons training session this season Talia arrived an hour early to hone his right foot, along with first-round picks Tom Sheridan (Fremantle) and Brandon Ellis (Richmond).

Talia begins training on Monday, where he will be put through VO2 max and treadmill testing before a 3.2km run on Tuesday.

"My first goal will be to earn the respect of the playing group, coaching staff and everyone at the club just through my training and how hard I work and my professionalism," he said.

"From there we'll see, when I reach that goal I'll set a date on playing but haven't got that far yet."

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